Brooklyn Nets 2018-19 Primer: 76ers seek distance from weird summer

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 3: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes up for a shot against Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets in the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2017-18 Vitals

52-30, third in Eastern Conference
Defeated Miami in first round, 4-1
Lost to Boston in conference semifinals, 4-1
109.8 PPG (7th), 105.3 OPPG (11th)
109.5 Offensive Rating (12th), 105.0 Defensive Rating (4th)

Team Leaders (minimum 42 games/82 made 3-pointers)
Scoring: Joel Embiid 22.9 PPG
Rebounding: Joel Embiid 11.0 RPG
Assists: Ben Simmons 8.2 APG
Steals: Ben Simmons 1.7 SPG
Blocks: Joel Embiid 1.7 BPG
3-point shooting: J.J. Redick 42.0 pct.

Honors

Ben Simmons (Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie 1st Team)
Joel Embiid (All-NBA 2nd Team, All-Defensive 2nd Team, All-Star Game)
Robert Covington (All-Defensive 1st Team)

2018-19 Roster

Jerryd Bayless, G
Jonah Bolden, F
Anthony Brown, F-G
Wilson Chandler, F
Robert Covington, F
Joel Embiid, C
Markelle Fultz, G
Demetrius Jackson, G (two-way)
Amir Johnson, F-C
Furkan Korkmaz, G
T.J. McConnell, G
Shake Milton, G (two-way)
Mike Muscala, F-C
Emeka Okafor, F-C
Norvel Pelle, F-C
J.J. Redick, G
Dario Saric, F
Landry Shamet, G
Ben Simmons, G-F
Zhaire Smith, G

Offseason Additions
Zhaire Smith (draft night trade, Phoenix), Landry Shamet (draft), Isaac Bonga (draft, not signed), Shake Milton (draft night trade, Dallas, two-way), Wilson Chandler (trade, Denver, July 6), Jonah Bolden (2017 draft pick, July 24), Mike Muscala (trade, Atlanta/Oklahoma City, July 25), Norvel Pelle (2014 undrafted free agent, Aug. 3), Anthony Brown (free agent, Minnesota, Aug. 28), Emeka Okafor (street free agent, Sept. 21).

Offseason Departures
Ersan Ilyasova (free agent, Milwaukee, July 16), Marco Belinelli (free agent, San Antonio, July 20), Richaun Holmes (trade, Phoenix, July 20), Justin Anderson (trade, Atlanta/Oklahoma City, July 25), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (trade, Oklahoma City/Atlanta, July 25).

Also See

Projected depth chart

C: Joel Embiid, Amir Johnson
PF: Dario Saric, Mike Muscala
SF: Robert Covington, Wilson Chandler, Furkan Korkmaz
SG: J.J. Redick, T.J. McConnell, Zhaire Smith
PG: Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, Jerryd Bayless, Landry Shamet

Outlook

Much like the Indiana Pacers, the Philadelphia 76ers enter a season with real expectations. For the 76ers, this might be the first time that’s been the case since the Allen Iverson-led team of the early 21st century.

Joel Embiid has proven critics wrong (raises hand), putting up All-NBA work in his first season basically injury free since being taken with the third overall pick by the 76ers from Kansas in 2014.

Embiid didn’t play at all during his first two seasons and mustered just 31 games with strict minutes and play restrictions. Last season, Embiid appeared in 63 games, averaged 30.3 minutes and showed the future is now.

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Ben Simmons was as good as advertised in his injury-delayed rookie season. The No. 1 overall pick in 2016 missed all of 2016-17 with a broken foot, but came back last season to average 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.7 steals while playing in 81 games.

The X-factor on how well Philadelphia fares may be the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, Markelle Fultz. He missed all but 14 games with a shoulder injury, had a well-publicized makeover of his jump shot and finished the regular season with a triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Fultz didn’t play after Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs, but the early signs are that his jumper is improved.

The 76ers are one of the most promising teams in the NBA, but they also led the NBA in turnovers last season (fast pace plus youth will do that).

To reach the next echelon in the East and challenge the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors at the top, however, the 76ers can’t be careless with the rock.

Can Embiid play in 70, or even 75 games? Can Simmons come forward with at least a passable jump shot from mid-range? Is Fultz fixed?

Even with the questions, Philadelphia looks to be at least as good as last season. The Process was real, it happened and the talent assembled by the 76ers is a force to reckon with in the East for the foreseeable future.

But the elephant in the room is health. So many of the young talents in Philadelphia come with red flags. Embiid has missed two full seasons. Simmons has missed one full year. Fultz’s rookie campaign was a wash. Rookie Zhaire Smith is out with a fractured left foot.

dark. Next. 10 best seasons in franchise history

Yes, that was a hedge.

Projected Record: 51-31

Brooklyn Nets 2018-19 Primer: Philadelphia 76ers seek distance from weird summer

By Phil Watson | Sep 28, 2018